Youth Home Inc TRICARE East & West Residential Program for Children Ages 12-17 with Mental Illness
Engaging Activities for Children with RAD

Nurturing Connections

When caring for a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), engaging in activities that promote healthy family relationships, playing a vital role in strengthening the parent-child bond in particular through the opportunity for shared experiences, emotional connection, and the development of trust. This page is for any parent looking for fresh ideas for how to connect with their child, and tips on how to help it be successful more often.

Board games: Choose age-appropriate board games that encourage cooperation, turn-taking, and social interaction.


Arts and crafts: Engage in creative projects together, such as painting, drawing, or crafting, to stimulate imagination and self-expression.


Pretend play: Encourage imaginative play scenarios where the child can express themselves and explore different roles and emotions.


Nature walks or hikes: Explore local parks, nature trails, or botanical gardens, allowing the child to connect with the natural world.


Picnics: Pack a picnic and enjoy a meal together in a park or by a lake, providing a relaxed and enjoyable setting for bonding.


Gardening: Engage in gardening activities, allowing the child to experience the satisfaction of nurturing and watching plants grow.

Pizza night: Allow the child to participate in preparing pizza dough, choosing toppings, and assembling their own personalized pizza.


Baking: Bake cookies, cakes, or bread together, emphasizing the joy of creating something delicious as a family.


Theme nights: Plan themed cooking nights, such as Mexican, Italian, or Asian cuisine, and involve the child in selecting recipes and assisting with meal preparation.

Let the child choose the movie: Allow them to take turns selecting movies that interest them, ensuring they feel included and valued.


Discuss the movie: After watching the film, engage in meaningful conversations about the characters, plot, and underlying messages, encouraging the child to express their thoughts and feelings.

Community service projects: Participate in local initiatives, such as food drives, toy collections, or park clean-ups, where the child can witness the impact of their actions.


Animal shelters: Volunteer at an animal shelter, assisting with pet care activities or organizing adoption events, providing an opportunity to nurture compassion and responsibility.

Engaging activities don't have to be hard, but can create meaningful opportunities for families to connect, strengthen bonds, and support the healing journey of children with Reactive Attachment Disorder. With intentionality, you can build lasting memories together. Remember to tailor activities to the child's interests and abilities, providing a safe and supportive environment for exploration, emotional expression, and connection.

Planning for Success Connection

When caring for a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), it's important to approach the planning of fun activities with sensitivity and understanding. While the child may struggle with attachment and display frequent temper tantrums, engaging in enjoyable activities can still have several benefits. Here are some considerations to keep in mind:


  1. Modified Activities: Adapt the activities to meet the child's needs and abilities. Consider their specific triggers, sensitivities, and challenges when selecting activities. For example, if the child has difficulty with transitions, choose activities with predictable routines or provide ample preparation time.
  2. Structured Environment: Create a structured and safe environment for activities. Clear rules, consistent boundaries, and predictability can help the child feel secure and reduce anxiety. Establishing a calm and organized space can contribute to a more positive experience for both the child and caregiver.
  3. Sensory-Friendly Options: Children with RAD may have sensory sensitivities. Opt for activities that are sensory-friendly, taking into account their preferences and sensitivities. For instance, if the child is sensitive to loud noises, choose quieter activities or provide noise-cancelling headphones to create a more comfortable environment.
  4. Incremental Steps: Introduce activities gradually, starting with shorter durations or simpler tasks. Allow the child to become familiar with the activity at their own pace. Over time, you can gradually increase the complexity or duration of the activities as the child becomes more comfortable and engaged.
  5. Mindful Timing: Consider the timing of activities. Take note of the child's energy levels, any triggers that may affect their behavior, and potential disruptions to their routine. Plan activities during periods when the child is more likely to be receptive and less prone to tantrums or meltdowns.
  6. Patience and Flexibility: Understand that progress may be gradual, and the child's response to activities can vary. Be patient, flexible, and willing to adapt as needed. If an activity triggers a temper tantrum or distress, focus on providing support and comfort to help the child regulate their emotions.
  7. Professional Guidance: Consult with therapists or counselors experienced in working with RAD or attachment-related issues. They can provide insights, strategies, and recommendations tailored to your child's specific needs and challenges.


Remember, the primary goal of engaging in activities is not solely focused on attachment but also on creating positive experiences, fostering a sense of connection, and promoting the overall well-being of the child. By approaching activities with empathy, understanding, and realistic expectations, you can provide opportunities for growth, enjoyment, and potential breakthroughs in the parent-child relationship.

The Power of Play | PCIT

12 Jan, 2024
There's a simple yet powerful tool that can transform your parent-child relationship—play. In this article, we explore the profound impact of dedicating just 5 minutes a day to play with your child and how this small investment can lead to significant changes in your connection and understanding. Quality over Quantity: In our busy lives, finding extended periods for play can be challenging. The beauty of dedicating 5 minutes a day is that it's manageable and achievable. The key is to make those 5 minutes count by being fully present and engaged. Quality interactions build trust and connection more effectively than the duration of time spent. A Window into Their World: Play provides a unique window into your child's world. Those 5 minutes allow you to step into their imagination, interests, and emotions. Whether it's playing with toys, drawing, or engaging in imaginative play, you gain insights into their thoughts and feelings, strengthening your understanding of who they are. Trust and Security: Consistent, short bursts of playtime create a sense of routine and predictability for your child. This routine fosters a feeling of security and trust, as your child knows they can count on this dedicated time with you. Trust is the foundation of any healthy relationship, and these 5 minutes contribute significantly to building that trust. Communication: Play is a universal language for children. By engaging in play, you open up channels of communication that might be challenging to access through conversation alone. Those 5 minutes become a space for your child to express themselves, share their joys and concerns, and feel heard. Improving Behavior: Play is not just about having fun; it's a powerful tool for behavior management. By dedicating focused playtime, you reinforce positive behaviors, teach social skills, and provide an opportunity for your child to learn and practice self-regulation. Emotional Intelligence: Play is a natural arena for emotional expression. Whether it's acting out scenarios, creating stories, or playing games, your child learns to navigate and express their emotions in a safe and supportive environment. These brief play sessions contribute to the development of your child's emotional intelligence. Lasting Memories: The simplicity of 5 minutes a day can lead to the creation of lasting memories. These shared moments become part of your child's childhood narrative, reinforcing the idea that they are loved, valued, and cherished. Such positive memories contribute to a strong sense of self-worth. In the grand scheme of things, 5 minutes may seem insignificant, but the consistency and intentionality of this small investment in play can lead to transformative changes in your parent-child relationship. It's not about the quantity of time spent but the quality of the connection forged during those precious minutes. Embrace the power of play, and watch as 5 minutes a day becomes the foundation for a lifetime of love, understanding, and shared joy between you and your child. Find a PCIT Therapist Near You

What is PCIT? What is the Goal of PCIT?

12 Jan, 2024
How PCIT Works Our primary goal with Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is to improve your relationship with your child and address behavioral issues that stem from emotional dysregulation and limited communication skills. PCIT with families is designed to achieve specific and individualized goals that will benefit you through a lifetime. We work to help you create a more positive and nurturing family environment to enjoy for years to come. Specifically, PCIT works to: Enhance the Parent-Child Relationship: PCIT aims to strengthen the bond between parents and their children. By providing parents with the skills to engage in positive interactions and communication, the therapy fosters a secure attachment and emotional connection. Improve Communication Skills: PCIT focuses on enhancing communication between parents and children. Through guided play and interactions, parents learn effective communication techniques, such as using descriptive language, active listening, and expressing emotions in a constructive manner. Address Behavioral Issues: PCIT targets specific behavioral challenges exhibited by children. This may include issues such as defiance, aggression, tantrums, or other disruptive behaviors. The therapy equips parents with evidence-based strategies to manage and reduce these challenging behaviors. Teach Positive Parenting Techniques: The goal is to teach parents positive and effective parenting techniques. This includes using praise, reinforcement, and appropriate consequences to encourage desired behaviors while discouraging unwanted behaviors. PCIT emphasizes the importance of consistent and positive parenting practices. Promote Emotional Regulation: PCIT helps children develop emotional regulation skills by providing a supportive environment where they can express and manage their emotions appropriately. This is achieved through play therapy and coaching parents on how to respond to their child's emotional cues. Build Confidence in Parents: By providing live coaching and feedback during therapy sessions, PCIT aims to build parents' confidence in their parenting abilities. As parents become more proficient in applying the skills learned in therapy, they gain a sense of competence and empowerment. Facilitate Generalization of Skills: PCIT seeks to ensure that the skills learned in therapy are generalized to various settings, including home, school, and community. The goal is for parents to apply the techniques consistently in everyday life, promoting sustained positive interactions with their children. Create a Positive Family Environment: Ultimately, PCIT aims to create a positive and supportive family environment where both parents and children feel understood, valued, and connected. This contributes to the overall well-being of the family unit. Prevent Future Behavioral Issues: By addressing behavioral issues early on and equipping parents with effective parenting strategies, PCIT has the additional goal of preventing the escalation of behavioral problems in the future. This proactive approach can contribute to long-term positive outcomes for the child and the family. In summary, our goal is to empower you with the tools and skills necessary to build a strong, positive, and mutually satisfying relationship with your children, in an environment conducive to the child's emotional and behavioral well-being. Find a PCIT Therapist Near You
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